Jakarta – The People’s School is a training space for students to hone their talents and character, one of which was experienced by M. Rifda Rifaqi who managed to develop his drawing skills to achieve achievements. “When I was at school, many people said my drawings were good, but they were just left aside. They were never used to participate in competitions,” Rifda said in a written statement on Thursday (12/11/2025). During about four months of school at the Cibinong 10 Public Middle School (SRMP), Bogor Regency, West Java, Rifda’s drawing talent sharpened more and more. He got encouragement from his homeroom teacher to dare to show his works. PAGE TO CONTINUE CONTENT In her first competition, Rifda won second place in a draw at the Children’s Day celebration at the Soweno Intensive Center (STIS). Prizes in the form of crayons and IDR 750 thousand became a new encouragement for him. “I am very happy that I won. So I am motivated to participate in other competitions. So much so that I asked Mrs. Teacher, when is there going to be another competition,” said Rifda. Rifda, who is now in grade 7, feels a big change in herself. “Before I was lazy at home studying, mostly playing on my mobile phone. Here I am more disciplined, wake up at 4 in the morning, exercise, go to school, study. So I am more diligent and independent,” he continued. Previously, Rifda lived in a house of 30 square meters. This 13-year-old teenager lives in Cibuluh Village, North Bogor with his parents, younger siblings, grandparents and uncle. Without a room, Rifda and her family slept on one bed. The father works as a casual daily laborer with an income of IDR 1.8 million per month, while the mother is a housewife. This condition makes it difficult for Rifda to study with focus. “At home it is noisy, cramped, there are many distractions. So studying is postponed. Here the place is more comfortable, you can learn to focus better,” he explained. Even though he lives with limitations, Rifda has big dreams of becoming an animator. He was inspired by Masashi Kishimoto, creator of the anime Naruto, but wanted to bring Indonesian characteristics to his work. “I want to make a fantasy story but still have an Indonesian feel. So that people know it’s made in Indonesia,” said Rifda. The Volkskool also fully supports his dream. Rifda started writing the story script on the school computer while waiting for laptop facilities to become available. “He said there will be one later. Meanwhile, I will make the story first, later it can be animated,” he said. As the first child, Rifda feels responsible for her family’s future. He is determined to continue high school at the People’s School so he can get a college scholarship. “I’m here to make up my mind to be successful. My intention is to go to college, then I want to go to the People’s School again in high school. They say if it’s a People’s School like this, it’s easy to get a scholarship to go to college,” he said. The People’s School gave Rifda not only knowledge, but also a platform for his talents. From work that was previously kept quiet, he now begins to reap achievements and becomes more and more bold to pursue his dreams. (acn/ega)